This Blog has now moved to idebate.org/worlddebating - all future posts will be made there!

7 March 2008

Irish & British Speaker rankings


Jonathan Maynard, who runs the Britishdebate ranking system for universities has released the top 100 speakers on the Irish & British debating circuit so far this year. There are some names on the list that have been around the circuit almost as long as I have...
To see the University Rankings click here. Cambridge are a long way clear of Oxford in second place with Middle Temple even further back in 3rd place.
To see the speaker rankings click here. Given the domination of Cambridge it isn't hugely surprising that Sam Block & Adam Bott occupy the top two positions.
As far as I know there isn't a prize for finishing top other than bragging rights.

6 March 2008

CUSID Style guide

There is a thread on the CUSIDnet forum on the Style guide for the 2008 CUSID nationals written by Morag Townsend. For anyone interested in north american style it gives an interesting insight as it "aims to reflect current practices in Canadian Parliamentary debate". The format differs from Worlds/BP in that it is just two teams wach with two speakers. I judged the masters final at Worlds in Toronto and enjoyed the format but haven't had any exposure to it since.

The headers in the guide are:
  • Basic Style
  • Points of Information
  • Cases
  • Government
  • Opposition
  • Winning
  • Judging Process
  • Scoring Range
I won't post the article to the site at the moment but I will link it and have asked the owner's permission to post it.

In the meantime if you are interested in knowing more about North American CUSID style then visit here

5 March 2008

Allen & Overy Prague Debate

Charles University Debate Club is proud and happy to invite you to the Allen & Overy Prague Debate Tournament 2008

The sixth year of this tournament takes place on April 4th – 6th

"Why should I participate?"

Prague. Rather unsurprisingly, the sixth year of Allen & Overy Prague Debate Tournament again takes place in Prague. For those of you who have not been to Prague yet, this is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with one of the most wonderful cities of the world, withits ancient narrow streets and beautiful historic centre on the one hand and vibrant night life on the other.

Debates. In the last few years, we had the opportunity to meet many great debaters from all over Europe and see them prove their skill. This year, however, we expect even more: the team cap has been increased to 40 teams and there will be 5 preliminary rounds followed by semifinals and the grand final. We are certain that we will all enjoy ever more challenging debates. Moreover, this year's Chief Adjudicator is Jens Fischer from neighboring Germany who was the CA of Europeans in 2006.

Beer. What can be better after several deadly debates than to relax in the company of eloquent fellow debaters and exquisite "liquid bread", as Czechs call it? And remember, beer is still under 1 Euro while the number of pubs in Prague is on a steady rise.

Fellowship (of the debate). We are very pleased that over the past several years, a stable community of people has been founded who got acquainted at our tournament and who come and meet every year. We are sure that they will come again this year and therefore it is safe for us to say: Come and meet some great people!

"What do I have to do in order to participate?"
1. Go to http://dkuk.wz.cz/drupal/?q=registration and see the details of registration.
2. Check your mail and our webpage, http://dkuk.wz.cz/drupal/?q=allenovery, for more details to come.
3. Come to Prague on April 4th, 2008

"What do I have to know before I come?"
Team cap: As it was mentioned, the team cap is set at 40 teams. Even though we decided to increase the number this year, the increase is final, therefore do not forget to register before the registration deadline, March 28.

Institutional team cap: As there are many institutions that want to send their debaters, we decided to limit the number of teams per institution to 4.

N-1 rule: Each institution that sends more than 1 team has to provide one adjudicator for every team beyond the first.

Registration fee: This year the registration fee is 30 Euros for a debater or 15 Euros for those debaters who do not need accommodation. Please note that while we give you this option, it is primarily intended for the people who live in Prague or have a place there to stay for free. The adjudicators are as usual free from any payment or fee on their part whatsoever.

We are aware that our loyal participants will notice the increase, but we hope you understand that the increased number of teams creates additional expenses. For 30 Euros you will get accommodation for the duration of the tournament, a lunch on Saturday and a special dinner on Saturday.

Dress code: As the final debate takes place in a prestigious venue, we would like to ask you to take a formal dress with you.

Visas and invitation letters: For those who need a visa to visit the Czech Republic, please note that it takes some time and for that reason we recommend registering as soon as possible so that we can help you obtain all necessary documents and papers in time.

We are looking forward to seeing you in April!
On behalf of the Charles University Debate Club
Brano Fecko (Chief Organizer) & Hanka Andrasova (President of the Charles University Debate Club)

4 March 2008

UCC Win UL open

The UCC team of Tony Murphy and Paul Flynn won the 2008 University of Limerick Open at the weekend. In the final they defeated TCD Historical A (Anne Byrne & Niall Sherry) and two hybrid teams of G. Rhydian Morgan & Sean Q and Derek Doyle and Dan Collwy.

Best Speaker on the tab was Sayeqa Islam (Victoria Wellington) and best speaker in the final was Anne Byrne (TCD Hist)

I'll post the motions and some photos later.

Ankara Open

METU (Middle East Technical University) is organizing one of the best tournaments of the year, between 21-23 March 2008, in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey.

Adjudication Panel: You want brilliant debates, creative motions, fair adjudication, and finally practice before euros? Say no more, the best opportunity stands right before you:
CA: Neill Harvey-Smith
DCA: Isabelle Loewe
DCA: G. Rhydian Morgan
Travel:
Did you know that choosing Istanbul as your destination is the same as choosing Ankara? No, they are neither the same cities nor the plane tickets cost the same. We will make the buses ready to take you from Istanbul to Ankara for FREE, in case you want to pay less for tickets, or you can't find tickets.
Accommodation:
You have just left the comfort of your bed, been through a probably tiring journey. We will provide 3 days of accommodation for the nights of 21-22-23 of March in the guesthouse of the school called Aysel Sabuncu Yaşam Merkezi which has the comfort of a 5 star hotel. You can see the photos from the facebook group.
Socials:
We promise a top-notch tournament. Our adjudicators will ensure good debates; but it's not all. As for socials, our OrgCom will ensure you never run out of booze. Party all night, drink as much as you can, be the last debater at the bar. Go wild.We will also be providing you with lots of delicious Turkish food.

In addition, we will make a tour to Anıtkabir (Atatürk's Mausoleum) and Anatolian Civilizations Museum. Furthermore, we will have the champion's dinner with free alcohol at our school's graduates club.

Schedule:
Friday
03.00-09.00 Buses from Istanbul Atatürk Airport
09.00-16.00 Rest
16.30-17.00 Opening Ceremony
17.00-18.15 Dinner
19.00-21.00 Round 1
21.00- Party at Rollhouse with DJ Himm
Saturday
08.00-09.00 Breakfast
10.00-12.00 Round 2
12.00-14.00 Round 3
14.00-15.30 Lunch
15.30-17.30 Round 4
17.30-19.30 Round 5
20.00-21.00 Dinner
21.30- Party at Bar56 (Break Announcement)
Sunday
10.00-11.00 Breakfast
11.30-13.30 Semi-Finals
13.30-17.15 Tour to Anıtkabir (Atatürk's Mausoleum) and Anatolian Civilizations Museum
17.15-18.15 Free time
19.00-20.00 Grand Final at METU Convention Centre
20.00-22.00 Champions Dinner
22.00-03.00 Party at Graduates Club
Monday
10.00- Buses from Ankara to Istanbul
For Registration:
Team Cap: 32 teams
Participation Fee: 35 euros per debater and judges

For more information visit our WEBSITE at: http://www.metudebate.com/
For any questions: metuiv2008@gmail.com

Join our facebook group for updates: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8321218042

VAVT Open 2008

Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Russian Academy for Foreign Trade, I would like to invite you to our first ever Open debate tournament. It will be take place on the 5th-6th of April 2008 in the Russian Academy of Foreign Trade, Moscow, Russia.

The Tournament:
Team cap is 16 teams with the university cap of 3 teams. N-1 rule applies.

Registration is opened from 2 to 23 March 2008.

Debates will be held in WUDC style.

Adjudication:
Our CA will Eugene Akulich, World ESL Finalist at MMU Worlds 2005.

Registration Fee:
10 euro per debater and 5 euro per adjudicator.

Contacts:
Please contact Convenor Nick Olshansky or Deputy Convenor Anton Zharinov at debatyvavt@yandex.ru.

Nick Olshansky
Convenor
President of VAVT Debating Society
mobile +79265571743
Russian Academy of Foreign Trade
4a Pudovkina Str, Moscow, Russia

EUDC 2008 Tallinn - more questions

Dear all,
Below you will find a summary of last week's questions and answers concerning registration to EUDC 2008 Tallinn. I apologise for the small delay, as it is already Monday.

By this time next week most of you will hopefully have successfully completed Phase 1 of the registration process and are able to sleep without nightmares about team caps and the n-1 rule.

Here we go:

*Q: We would like to send additional judges to the tournament beyond the n-1 rule. During which phase do we register them and how does it work in general?*

*A: *Registering additional judges is no different from the general process of registration, they can be registered in Phase 1 and Phase 2. There is no institutional cap for adjudicators, but to keep the registration quick and simple, only up to 4 judges can be registered together with the teams. Every subsequent adjudicator from one institution will have to register as an independent judge. Please also see my previous post here <http://www.eudc2008.eu/feedsbase.php?feed=7> (Tournament -> FAQs).

*Q: How much does it cost to stay an extra day in the hotel?

A: * If you are planning to arrive before 22nd June and/or leave after 28th June, you will have to pay for extra night(s) at the hotel. One extra night at Reval Hotel Olümpia costs 37EUR per person. You can book the extra night(s) during Phase 3 of registration. Of course you can stay at another hostel/hotel, which you may be able find for a better price, but in that case please make your own reservations beforehand.

*Q: When must the participation fee have been paid?*

*A: *The deadline for payments is dependent on when do you register. Teams and judges registered during Phase 1 will have to pay the participation fee by 23rd March, teams and judges registered during Phase 2 will have to pay the fee by 13th April. These deadlines are crucial, because your registration will not be confirmed until our receipt of the payment or payment confirmation. Please keep in mind that failure to make payment by due date will lead to annulment of your registration, and given the tight team cap, you may not receive a second chance. Please also see registration information here <http://www.eudc2008.eu/index.php?content=8&menuid=7> for further details.


*Q: Does 12:00 GMT mean 12:00 at lunchtime?*

*A: *Yes, registration begins on 10th March at 12:00 GMT lunchtime (noon).

*Important note: *In my last post it was said that the registration form contains a dropdown list of institutions for you to choose from. The list we have compiled is a very thorough one, including all institutions that have participated in EUDC 2006 and 2007, so you will most probably find your institution there. If you should discover that your institution is not on the list, then firstly - check once again (also try other possible ways of callingyour institution, e.g Tartu University / University of Tartu). If still no luck, then you can specify your institution in the blank space provided on the form for this purpose. Just to make it clear - there is no use in trying to use this method to evade the team cap!

For further questions, I am continuously available at info@eudc2008.eu.

You will be hearing from me again at least once before 10th March.

Best regards,
Maarja Teder

Communication Director

EUDC 2008 Tallinn


3 March 2008

Australs 2008 team cap reached

Message from David Loughran:

Dear all,
Our team cap has been met! For those still interested in joining/sending additional teams, you may fill up our waitlist form.
For those who have registered, please pay the exact amount by April 30. If we do not receive your full payment by the closing date, your slots may be given to institutions on the waitlist.
Best,David
d.loughran@ateneoaustrals.com

Australs 2008 team cap is full

Message from David Loughran:

Dear all,
Our team cap has been met! For those still interested in joining/sending additional teams, you may fill up our waitlist form.
For those who have registered, please pay the exact amount by April 30. If we do not receive your full payment by the closing date, your slots may be given to institutions on the waitlist.
Best,David
d.loughran@ateneoaustrals.com


See: http://www.ateneoaustrals.com/


Vermont Bids for USUDC 2009

The University of Vermont seeks to host the United States Universities Debating Championship on its Burlington, Vermont campus in April of 2009.

It started in 1899 when Edwin Lawrence met with his brother and a friend and decided to form a debating program at the University of Vermont. The Green and Gold Debate Club became, in the 1960’s, a program endowed by the generosity of Edwin W. Lawrence 1901, named the Lawrence Debate Union. As the 21st Century dawns the program is expanding beyond national and into international competition.

The world is in the process of becoming a debate community, and the WUDC format has shown academic and argumentative rigor as well as an open opportunity for people around the world from many different backgrounds to compete. It is easy to do but extremely difficult to do well.

America is coming to accept and embrace this format. At WUDC in Thailand 400 teams competed and America had five of the top sixteen.

It is in the spirit of support for the expansion of this global debate effort and in the hopes of creating opportunities for high levels of competition, that we invite you to consider the bid of the Lawrence Debate Union to host the 2009 United States Universities Debating Championship.

Our website is up and running at http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/usu/Welcome.html

TOURNAMENT
At least six prelim debates and quarterfinals, more if numbers justify. Reasonably closed motions in the WUDC style. Two preset debates and the rest power paired. Seven-minute speeches, consensus and oral adjudication, international teams welcome, and an emphasis on excellent judging including special invitations to select international judges.

TEAM
Neill Harvey-Smith, Chief Adjudicator
Neill is a former World Championship grand finalist and won the John Smith Memorial Mace in both England & Wales and Scotland. He was Chair of the Grand Final at the 2004 World Debating Championships in Singapore, having previously adjudicated the Grand Finals of Worlds, the European Championships, the International Mace. As a student he won around 25 inter-varsity debating competitions. He is also the current President of the World Debating Council.

Alfred Snider, Convener
Has been an active debate teacher for 35 years. Has administered numerous large tournaments, including the National Forensic League’s national championship speech and debate tournament attended by over 5000 people. Has been training in the WUDC format for six years and in 19 different countries.

TRAVEL
Easy airport service to Burlington International Airport, including low cost airlines Jetblue, our airline of choice. Most other major carriers serve this airport (BTV). Eight minute ride from the airport to the campus.

Interstate highway 89 leads right to our door from New England.

Amtrak to Essex Junction. Buses to the Pine Street Station.

CLASSROOMS
The University of Vermont has several new classroom buildings ideal for WUDC debate, such as Kalkin Hall and Lafayette Hall. They are all within moments of a central location in one of several different auditoriums.

FOOD
Beverages will be provided throughout the event, and lunch will be provided each day. Look for specialized lunch entries as far too many cooks show that they can actually cook a great meal. Coffee, tea and juice along with a variety of delightful pastries will be offered each morning. The evenings will be available for you to enjoy the many, many excellent restaurants in our four-season tourist town http://www.7nvt.com/7n/home.htm.

HOTEL
There are many excellent facilities in Burlington. In recent years we have used the Best Western Windjammer Inn and Conference Center http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do.

Any hotel will be within ten minutes of the campus.

REGISTRATION
If we receive the bid, will open 1 January 2009.

Australian Championships

Australian Championships - Pre-Registration for Institutions open

The Australian Championships will this year be hosted over the Anzac long weekend, April 24-28 in the picturesque, post-brutalist architecture of Macquarie University in Sydney. We are welcoming Institutions at this point to pre-register up to ten teams. All important information is contained in the RegistrationInformation.pdf file which is available on the website http://www.easters2008.com/

The tournament is run in distinctive Australian 3 on 3 style, with teams of 3 speakers affirming and negating the topics in 6-8 minute speeches. There will be six preliminary rounds and a break for the top 16 teams to Octo Finals. This tournament has a strict novice requirement and affirmative action policy, as outlined in the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Association Constitution (relevant sections are included in Registration Information document.)

This event is open to teams from all Universities, though the break is restricted to local teams (a position which is decided by Council, not by Constitution.) Those debaters who have expressed interest in attending while at Australs and Worlds are welcome to read the Registration Info, check out our website, or email either James any myself. We'd be happy to accommodate any queries you have, and would love to have new teams in attendance.

Please don't hesitate to email us at orgcomm@easters2008.com. You can also call myself on 0410 50 29 80, or James O'Brien on 0439 44 05 29.

We hope to see you at Macquarie in April!

Felicity Wilson & James O'Brien

Convenors - Australian Championships Macquarie 2008

Almaty Debate Tournament

Dear debaters,

We are happy to invite you to the International Debate Tournament taking place in the beautiful city of Almaty in Kazakhstan. The dates of the tournament are 18th to 20th April and it’ll be held in American Format. The tournament is a part of a prestigious annual Oil & Gas Youth Forum SPE.
We expect applicants from many different countries such as Russia, Ukraine, India, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea and Czech Republic and in return we offer full coverage of all living costs, free lectures and training and free tickets to Petroleum Party! We even have special prices for the winning team given by our sponsors; local and international oil & gas companies.

The program of Oil & Gas Youth Forum:
1. Presentations on Forum’s main issue by E&P companies representatives.
2. Students scientific and practical conference.
3. Debate tournament for KNTU SPF, SC awards.
4. Lecturers & Training for International and Kazakh students.
5. IQ games.
6. Round table.
7. Petroleum party.
8. A lots of fun for everybody!!!

For further information contact us on natawa.vip@gmail.com and zniyazova@gmail.com. (send a copy of your message to both emails)

We would be pleased to answer any of your questions and we are looking forward to see you in Almaty!

With regards,
Zarina Niyazova & students of Kazakh National Technical University